SPECIAL STAMPS BEING PRINTED AND SOLD TO MOTORISTS WHO ARE PREPARED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAMPAIGN; POSTERS BEING PUT UP AT GARAGES.




Initials RGM/V/CR/PC



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Background: SOUTH AFRICA'S PRIVATELY ORGANISED "PETROL FOR RHODESIA" CAMPAIGN IS UNDER WAY. PRIME MINISTER HENDRIK VERWOERD HAS SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT STAND IN THE WAY OF THE PLAN TO SEND 80,000 GALLONS OF PETROL AND OTHER FUELS A MONTH ACROSS THE BORDER.

THE CAMPAIGN STARTED A WEEK AGO IN A JOHANNESBURG SERVICE STATION AND IS QUICKLY SPREADING ACROSS THE COUNTRY. AS A START, THE ORGANISERS ARE TRYING TO RAISE ENOUGH TO SEND A 5,000 GALLON ROAD TANKER ACROSS THE RHODESIAN BORDER.

IT IS FELT THAT MANY WHITE SOUTH AFRICANS ARE LIKELY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FUND TO EXPRESS SYMPATHY FOR WHITE RHODESIANS, WHILE DR. VERWOERD'S GOVERNMENT IS STEADFASTLY DECLINING TO EMBROIL ITSELF OFFICIALLY IN THE RHODESIA-BRITAIN DISPUTE.

BIGGEST DONATION TO DATE HAS BEEN GBP500 STERLING (1,360 DOLLARS) FROM A PRETORIA MAN AND THE TOWN COUNCIL AT RENSBERG, IN THE TRANSVAAL, HAS SET THE PATTERN FOR OTHER COMMUNITY BODIES BY DECIDING TO CONTRIBUTE FROM PUBLIC FUNDS.

MOTORISTS ARE BEING CANVASSED TO GIVE THE PRICE OF A GALLON OF PETROL; IN RETURN THEY RECEIVE A STAMP. THE ORGANISERS SAY THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OFFERS OF VEHICLES INCLUDING TANKERS, TO TAKE THE FUEL TO THE BORDER WHERE IT WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE RHODESIANS AS A "FREE AND UNSOLICITED GIFT".